Abstract:
Ecotourism is environmentally responsible travel and visitation to relatively undisturbed natural areas,
in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and any accompanying cultural features - both past and present)
that promotes conservation, has low negative visitor impact, and provides for beneficially active socioeconomic involvement of local populations. Since Sri Lanka is rich with much cultural and natural
diversity, it has the potential to develop the eco-tourism concept better than other destinations for the
benefit of the Sri Lankan economy and community. The contribution of tourism sector to foreign
exchange earnings and the development of the society, marketing and implementing the tourism concepts
properly to the customers is very much significant. Currently the world tourism trend is moving from
generic or bulk tourism to more of specific sectors like ecotourism. It serves the purpose of both high
profitability as well as larger social benefits.
